The buzz on the top tech show

Jan. 9 - Near record attendance at CES, the world's biggest tech show, but the show's future is questioned as big companies like Microsoft pull away. Bobbi Rebell reports.

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The world's biggest technology trade show, the Consumer Electronics Show known as CES is getting underway in Las Vegas.
The show is set to be the second biggest on record- with more than 2700 exhibitors taking up over 1.8 million square feet of show floor.
Much of the focus is expected to be on fancy flat screen tv's as well as new smartphones and razon thin laptops.
But there is a lot of talk that CES, which has long been the venue for the latest and greatest in technology, may itself have issues regarding its long term future.
Apple for example does not attend the show. And Microsoft is making this show its last.
But at a preview night at a local hotel, entrepreneurs at the show remain enthusiastic:
Ron Ferber, President of RFA which produces a battery recharger:
SOUNDBITE: RON FERBER, PRESIDENT, RFA (ENGLISH) SAYING:
" I think this is the biggest deal. Apple is great. Microsoft is great. But at the end of the day, it is the retailers around the world, the traditional retailers, whether its electronics shops, its the carriers. this is a huge show. "
Nick Laperle is the President of Sonomax, which makes personal fitted earphones:
SOUNDBITE: NICK LAPERLE, PRESIDENT AND CEO, SONOMAX (ENGLISH) SAYING:
"Its the meeting place where everyone gets together and plans their year. The retailers come to see the products. You get to meet everybody. Its a good show."
CES started in 1967 in New York City.
Bobbi Rebell, Reuters.

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